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ENB:03:04 [Next] . [Previous] . [Contents]

BOLIVIA:

Erwin Ortiz Gandarillas appealed to the international community and the developed countries to honor the commitments they made in Rio. There is a need to reject the status quo and reverse the current process of unfair economic and social disparities that exist. He hopes that the Spirit of Rio, as demonstrated by the participation of major groups and NGOs, democracy, transparency and the placement of the human being at the center of development, will prevail. However, Bolivia feels that the international community is departing from the Spirit of Rio and adopting business as usual. Developing countries are still paying for the effects of debt, structural adjustment, and unfair terms of trade. The establishment of the CSD and the creation of the two intersessional working groups on finance and technology are moves in the right direction. Bolivia also supports the GEF restructuring, the Conference on Straddling and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks and the Conference on the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States. The INCD is of crucial importance as desertification affects the core of underdevelopment.